Cruise Advice & Tips

Your cruise fare covers your accommodation (cabin), all main meals in the main dining room and buffet, most entertainment (shows, live music, deck events), and travel between ports. On most mainstream lines it also includes room service for basic items.

What's typically not included in the base fare:

• Alcoholic and premium soft drinks (unless you're on a luxury or all-inclusive line)
• Speciality restaurant dining (charged per cover or as a set fee)
• Shore excursions booked through the cruise line
• Spa treatments, fitness classes, and beauty services
• Wi-Fi and internet packages
• Gratuities / service charges (varies significantly by line - see below)
• Photographs taken by the ship's photographers
• Laundry and dry cleaning

Embarkation is the process of boarding the ship. You'll be given a specific check-in time (usually a 30–60 minute window in the afternoon) — try to stick to this as it helps manage queues. Arrive too early and you may be waiting outside the terminal.

The process typically runs like this:

• Check in your luggage - it will be delivered to your cabin later, often 2–4 hours after boarding
• Go through passport control and security
• Collect your cruise card (your key, ID and onboard payment card in one)
• Board the ship - cabins are usually ready from around 2pm
• Explore the ship and find your muster station (mandatory safety briefing)
• Departure is usually early evening - sailaway is worth watching from deck

A sea day is a full day at sea with no port stop. These are often the most relaxing days on a cruise - the ship's entertainment programme is at its busiest, the pools are lively, and there's no pressure to be anywhere. A time to relax before venturing ashore again.

A port day means the ship docks (or anchors offshore and tenders you in by small boat) at a destination. You'll typically have 6–10 hours ashore. You can:

• Book a shore excursion through the cruise line (can be more expensive but convenient and less stressful)
• Explore independently - walk, take a taxi, or hire a local guide
• Stay on the ship (often the quietest day on board) and enjoy the on-board facilities

Check the ship's scheduled all-aboard time carefully - the ship will leave without you if you are late back. Cruise line excursions are the exception; they'll wait for their own excursions to return.

Gratuities (also called service charges) are one of the more confusing aspects of cruising, mainly because different lines handle them very differently.

• P&O Cruises & MSC: Gratuities are included in UK fares - no automatic daily charge.
• Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Cunard, Celebrity and Virgin Voyages: A daily service charge is added automatically (typically $16–$22 per person per day). You can pre-pay or have it added to your onboard account.
• Princess Cruises: Included in "Plus" and "Premier" packages. Otherwise charged daily.
• Luxury lines (Regent, Silversea, Seabourn): Fully included - no additional tipping expected or necessary.

Cash tips to individual crew members are always welcome on top, but entirely optional. Most people tip their cabin steward and main dining waiter if they have had exceptional service.

Dress codes vary widely between cruise lines and even between venues on the same ship. As a general guide:

• Casual (daytime / buffet): Shorts, t-shirts, sundresses - always fine on deck and in the buffet.
• Smart casual (most evenings, main dining room): Trousers or chinos, open-neck shirts, dresses or smart tops. Shorts and vests are typically not permitted in main restaurants after 6pm.
• Formal nights: Suit or dinner jacket for men; evening wear or cocktail dress for women. P&O and Cunard take this more seriously than most. On mainstream US lines it's increasingly relaxed.

Cunard has the most traditional dress code - the QM2 Grills restaurants enforce black tie on formal nights. Norwegian (NCL) and MSC are the most relaxed about dress codes in the evening. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sit somewhere in the middle.

Modern cruise ships are very large and fitted with stabilisers - most passengers never feel significant movement, especially on Mediterranean or Caribbean itineraries in summer. However, the Bay of Biscay, the North Atlantic and Norwegian fjords in autumn/winter can produce noticeable swell.

If you're concerned about seasickness:

• Choose a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck  - you'll feel the least movement there
• Bring motion sickness tablets (Stugeron / cinnarizine is popular and effective)
• Acupressure wristbands (Sea-Bands) work for many people
• The ship's medical centre can provide prescription patches or injections if needed
• Focus on the horizon, get fresh air, and eat lightly during rough patches

The cruise industry broadly divides into three market tiers:

Mainstream (contemporary): Large ships, wide choice of dining and entertainment, family-friendly, competitive pricing. Think Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, MSC and P&O. Great for first-timers and families. Food and service are solid rather than exceptional.

Premium: Smaller or medium ships, better food, more attentive service. Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Cunard, Virgin Voyages (Over 18's). A meaningful step up in quality without the luxury price tag.

Luxury: Small ships (under 700 guests typically), butler service, exceptional cuisine, often all-inclusive (drinks, excursions, sometimes flights). Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Azamara, Oceania (Over 18's). The service-to-guest ratio is far higher - you genuinely feel looked after.

UK departures (typically from Southampton, Dover, Tilbury or a regional port) remove the need to fly. They are cheaper and you can take more luggage. P&O, Cunard, Fred. Olsen and Ambassador Cruise Lines specialise in this. The trade-off is that itineraries are limited to what is reachable by ship from the UK - Atlantic islands, Northern Europe, Western Mediterranean.

Fly-cruises open up the whole world - The Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asia, Australia, Middle East and Far East. You fly to your embarkation port eg. Miami, Barcelona, Dubai, Sydney and the cruise begins from there. This makes the itinerary choice much greater.

Royal Caribbean leads the field for families - large ships with waterparks, rock climbing walls, ice rinks, dedicated teen spaces and excellent childrens' clubs from age 3 upwards.

Norwegian (NCL) and MSC are also strong family options, with MSC offering free cruises for under-12s in some cabin categories. Both have extensive childrens’ clubs and family entertainment.

P&O is the most popular UK-departure family choice, with well-established kids' clubs and a reliable, familiar feel.

Disney Cruise Line is in a category of its own for families with younger children - exceptional childrens’ entertainment, character experiences, and a magical atmosphere. Book well in advance as it sells out quickly.

Celebrity Cruises is widely considered the best premium option for couples - stylish ships, excellent food, refined atmosphere, strong cocktail culture. "Always Included" fares bundle drinks and Wi-Fi, making budgeting simpler. Some itineraries have overnight stays.

Cunard offers a uniquely British, traditional experience - ballroom dancing, afternoon tea, formal nights, and a genuine sense of occasion. The QM2 transatlantic crossing is a bucket-list experience in its own right.

Virgin Voyages is adults-only (18+). Beautifully designed ships. A lovely touch is having hammocks on the balconies. A very laid back atmosphere. These ships don't have buffet style restaurants. The majority of the food is made to order.

Azamara specialises in longer stays in port (including overnight and late-night stays), which suits couples who want to explore destinations properly rather than rushing back to the ship.

An inside cabin has no window or porthole. They are the smallest but most affordable option on the ship. They are also often surprisingly good for sleeping - the total darkness means many people sleep quite well in them.

Best suited to: Budget-conscious travellers, those who plan to spend minimal time in their cabin, solo travellers looking to keep costs down.

Think twice if: You feel claustrophobic, need natural light, or plan to spend time relaxing in your cabin.

Ocean view (or window) cabins have a fixed porthole or window giving you natural light and a view of the sea. They are generally a modest step up in price from inside cabins but make a noticeable difference - you can see what the weather is like before going out, watch the sea, and wake up to daylight.

Some ocean view cabins have obstructed views - partially blocked by lifeboats or ship equipment. These are cheaper and maybe worth checking before booking.

Best suited to: Travellers who want light and a connection to the sea without paying for a balcony.

The most popular cabin type on modern ships. A private balcony - usually with two chairs and a small table - gives you outdoor space that's entirely your own. Having breakfast at sea on your balcony, or watching a sailaway from port, is one of cruising's genuine pleasures.

• Forward balconies (at the front) can be very windy at speed and exposed to spray
• Aft balconies (at the back) are often larger and offer views of the ship's wake - a favourite for experienced cruisers
• Mid-ship is the most stable position and usually the most sheltered

Best suited to: Most couples and adults who want their own outdoor space.

Mini-suites (sometimes called Junior suites or "Club" cabins depending on the line) are a step above a standard balcony. Typically 30–40% larger, and often include:

• A larger balcony (sometimes significantly larger)
• A separate seating area or sofa
• Enhanced bathroom - sometimes a bathtub, as opposed to just a shower
• Priority boarding or dining benefits (varies by line)
• Upgraded amenities - robes, pillow menu, better toiletries

They don't usually qualify for the full suite perks (butler, private lounge access) but offer noticeably more space and comfort at a lower price than a full suite.

Best suited to: Couples on longer sailings who want space and comfort without the full suite cost. Often the best value category on many ships.

Suites on mainstream and premium lines typically include:

• Significantly larger cabin with a proper lounge area (separate bedroom on some)
• A butler  - handles restaurant reservations, unpacking, in-room dining and special requests
• Access to a private suite lounge with complimentary drinks, snacks and concierge
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation
• Enhanced dining - priority reservations or a private suite restaurant
• More generous drinks packages or complimentary beverages
• Larger balcony, often with sunloungers

On luxury lines (Regent, Seabourn, Silversea) all accommodation is technically a suite - typically a minimum of 25–30 square metres - and the full luxury package is included for everyone on board.

The Berlitz Cruise Guide has rated ships formally for decades - scoring food, service, cabins and the ship itself. Top-scoring ships (typically 1,700+ points out of 2,000) include vessels from Hapag-Lloyd, Seabourn and Silversea. In trade parlance, "5 star plus" or "6 star" refers to this elite group.

In practical terms, a 6 star cruise typically means:

• Far more space per guest - luxury ships carry 200–700 passengers where a comparable mainstream ship carries 4,000–6,000
• All-inclusive beverages - open bar throughout the ship, including premium brands, at no extra charge
• Included dining - all speciality restaurants at no extra charge
• Included excursions - Regent Seven Seas is the most notable example, with all excursions included in the fare
• Butler service for all guests, not just suite holders
• No nickel-and-diming - gratuities, Wi-Fi and specialty coffees all included
• Smaller ships that can access ports larger ships cannot reach

For the right traveller, absolutely - and the "extra cost" is often not as large as it appears once you add up what you'd spend anyway.

On a mainstream cruise, a couple might realistically spend per day on top of the base fare:

• Drinks packages: £80–£120 for two
• Gratuities: £30–£40 for two
• Speciality dining: £20–£60 per person per meal
• Wi-Fi: £20–£30
• Shore excursions: £50–£150 per person per port

That's potentially £200–£400/day on top of the base fare. A luxury all-inclusive fare that looks expensive upfront may represent genuine value when everything is genuinely included.

That depends almost entirely on how you use the ship. If your holiday consists of exploring ports all day and joining the main entertainment in the evenings, the premium area adds relatively little - you're only using it at night.

If you value having a genuinely quiet, uncrowded space to relax - especially on sea days - or if you appreciate the butler and concierge removing friction from your holiday, the premium can absolutely be worthwhile.

A rough calculation: MSC Yacht Club or NCL Haven typically adds 40–80% to the cabin cost. Against that, consider: premium drinks included, priority everything, a private pool that never has a sunlounger war, and a restaurant where you can always get a table.